Largest earthquake this year rattles Portugal on anniversary of 1755 disaster

Largest earthquake this year rattles Portugal on anniversary of 1755 disaster2018-11-022018-11-06http://www.portugalresident.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/portugal-resident-logo-complete-lettering.pngPortugal Residenthttps://www.portugalresident.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/captura-sismo-peniche.jpg200px200px

Largest earthquake this year rattles Portugal on anniversary of 1755 disaster

An earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale – the largest reading for any tremor this year – has rocked Portugal 263 years to the day since a massive quake levelled huge areas of the country in 1755.

The epicentre of this latest tremor was 480 kms west of Peniche, yet it was felt in coastal districts running from Braga to Lisbon – most strongly in the area of Figueira da Foz.

According to the website of sea and atmosphere institute IPMA, the quake took place at 4.27 am on November 1, 25 kms below the seabed in an area known as Salvador Correia Passage. This passage is bordered by various ‘seamounts’ and separated from the Portuguese mainland by the Nazaré Canyon, the extraordinary undersea dyke responsible for massive waves that have become a magnet to surfers from all over the globe.